Peanut butter collectibles rank high with collectors

Peanut butter, everyone's favorite food, has had bad press lately, but peanut butter collectibles rank high with collectors. Peanut butter was eaten by the ancient Incas centuries ago. Peanuts later were grown in Africa, then Spain and then the American colonies. It was a commercial crop by the 1800s. Crushed peanuts (peanut butter) were eaten by the Chinese in sauces, during the Civil War in porridges, and as a healthy source of protein by the 1890s. Machines to make peanut butter in the United States were patented by 1895. Early peanut butter, and some sold in grocery and health stores today, is simply a paste of ground roasted peanuts. In 1904 peanut butter was a new popular snack sold at the St. Louis World's Fair. Improvements continued. It became smooth with the invention of churning machines, then was made to stay fresh longer and not separate from its own oil. Crunchy peanut butter was developed in 1934.

Peanut butter collectors want the original containers — anything from jars to decorated tin pails to pressed glass goblets. They also look for cookbooks, banks, salt and pepper shakers, figurines and anything connected to peanuts, like cookie boxes, roasted peanut tins and even the peanut logo used by President Carter. Most popular are peanut-related things from companies like Peter Pan, Big Top, Skippy, Smucker's, Planters Peanuts and Jif. Best of all are the decorated tin pails used from 1910 to 1950. Most entice buyers with colorful pictures of young movie stars or scenes from children's books.

Uncle Wiggily is still a popular character from a children's . book series started in 1910. This 1923 peanut butter pail shows Uncle Wiggily Longears at the seashore with his candy-striped cane and Pipsisewah, a rhinoceros-like bully. It auctioned for $590 at Showtime Auction Services of Woodhaven, Mich. Terry Kovel answers readers questions:

Q: When my mother died at age 86 a few years ago, she left me her old "spinning wheel rocking chair." At least that's my name for it. The back of the chair and its arms are made from the wheels of spinning wheels. There are no marks on the chair, so I don't know if it was made commercially or by a local craftsman. Have you ever seen this type of chair?

A: When the United States celebrated its centennial in 1876, people all over the country became interested in Colonial Revival furniture. Because spinning wheels were no longer used much but did remind people of Colonial times, some clever furniture makers decided to use old wheels to make chairs. When old spinning wheels weren't available, cabinetmakers simply made more wheels. The style revived again in the 1940s.

Q: We own a 1929 GE Modern Longfellow grandfather clock-radio. We haven't been able to find any information about it. Can you help?

A: General Electric, founded in 1892, got into the radio business in 1919. That's when GE founded RCA. RCA marketed GE radios until 1930, when the companies were forced to break up. Your mahogany clock-radio dates from about 1931, not 1929. It was GE's H-91 model in the shape of a full-size grandfather clock. It houses an electric clock and a 10-tube radio. The radio didn't work very well, but collectors will pay about $500 for a working model.

Q: More than 30 years ago, an older friend of mine gave me two canvas-covered duck decoys that had belonged to his father. I'm guessing they're around 100 years old. They appear to be hand-painted, but have inset glass eyes. Each one has its original cord and metal anchor attached. They are not stamped or signed. Can you tell me something about canvas decoys and what they're selling for?

A: Canvas-covered ducks, geese and swans have been made and used in many parts of the United States since the mid 1800s. Some were made commercially, some by small workshops and some by amateurs working at home. Most are made with a wooden base and a wooden or wire frame covered with canvas. Many are unmarked. They were inexpensive and lightweight, so they were easy for hunters to carry and deploy on the water to attract birds. Most decoy collectors don't like them as well as wooden decoys, but an antique canvas decoy in good condition can sell for more than $100.

CURRENT PRICES

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Charlie Chaplin hat, pressed felt, elastic string fastener, paper band with name and black-and-white photo of Little Tramp, 1920s, 2 1/2 inches by 7 1/2 inches, $100.

Carnival glass ice-cream bowl, Stag and Holly pattern, footed, lime green, marigold iridescence, $120.

Toy rocking horse, wood and Masonite, red body with black saddle, hoofs, mane and face, spring platform, 1940s, 34 inches, $135.

Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat doll, plush fabric, felt hat, 1960s, Random House copyright, 23 inches, $150.